Delayed gratification is the art of sacrificing now for a better future. We all do this to some degree, some more productively than others. On the smaller scale, we sacrifice by exercising so that we can be fitter later. On the grander scale, we sacrifice by working the majority of our lives for a pleasant retirement.

Shouldn’t the goal be to never want to retire, to organise and create a life in which retiring is not necessary?

We, as a society, have accepted this. We have accepted that we must work in a job we feel little passion for for the majority of our lives, for the majority of our days just so that we can cash out at 65 and relax until we die. Does that not sound horrible to you? Do you really want the majority of your life to be spent working in a passionless job? Would it not serve you better to work passionately for the majority of your life? On the grandest scale of delayed gratification, that is the most productive form: sacrificing stability, money and comfort now so that you might work passionately for the majority of your life. Instead we sacrifice our passion for the stability, money and comfort of a safe job.

We must shed ourselves of the belief that retirement is anything but a depressing excuse for working dispassionately now. People often look forward to a time when they can sip cocktails on the beach when they’re 65. Really? A couple of days of that and you’ll feel rotten and deflated. Shouldn’t the goal be to never want to retire, to organise and create a life in which retiring is not necessary? I’d rather sacrifice stability now whilst I’m young in order to create a life in which I’m in control and in which I am passionate about so that when I’m 65, I still have the energy to create and prosper.

Keep On Struggling

Gregor

Film I Enjoyed - Peter Pan & Wendy

I love the story of Peter Pan as it’s full of unexpected themes and morals and this new adaption is a great watch. Both Peter and Captain Hook portray the worst of both extremes: Peter refusing to grow up and Hook growing up bitter and resentful. Watch Peter Pan & Wendy on Disney +.

Cheese & Wine Tasting I Loved - IJ Mellis

I went to IJ Mellis Cheesemongers in Morningside, Edinburgh for a cheese and wine tasting and it was sublime. The guide was extremely informative, the cheeses were incredible and the wines complimented each cheese beautifully. If you live in Scotland, this is a great night out and if you’re visiting this is a must.

Quote to Ponder

Creation is a better means of self-expression and possession, it is through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed - Vida Dutton Scudder

References

1) Peter Pan Image - IMDB

2) IJ Mellis Image - Tripadvisor

3) Image Credit - RawPixel